6 November 2023

O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways!
‘For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counsellor?’
‘Or who has given a gift to him,
to receive a gift in return?’

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen.

From Romans 11:29-36, NRSV

Having struggled to understand the position of the Jews in relation to Christ, Paul recognised that the gifts given by God to Israel were irrevocable and that the Jews remained beloved by God. He also acknowledges that just as God had repeatedly forgiven his “Chosen People” after their repeated failings, so God would also show mercy to those who had chosen to follow Christ. Paul has reached the point of accepting that God’s wisdom and knowledge are beyond him and to be praised rather than questioned. He praises God from whom all has come, through whom salvation has been given and to whom honour and praise are due.

• • How do God’s judgements differ from those made by humans?
  • What is your experience of struggling to understand God’s ways?

Bring before God a situation that you are struggling to understand or come to terms with, and pray for the grace to accept God’s will in this situation.